Energy Testimony

Dear Representative:
On behalf of PennEnvironment’s citizen members, I am writing to urge you to support House Bill 2200, which could come up for a House floor vote this week. This legislation is essential to helping the Commonwealth reduce its energy consumption.

We know that the cleanest and cheapest type of energy is the energy that is never created in the first place, which is why promoting energy efficiency and conservation is critical to protecting Pennsylvania’s environment and reducing Pennsylvanians’ electricity bills.  Most notably, by reducing overall energy use, we’ll lower the demand on the state’s coal-fired power plants, resulting in less of the air pollution that triggers asthma attacks and causes global warming.  Furthermore, by helping Pennsylvania businesses and consumers use less energy, implementing efficiency legislation will save Pennsylvanians money on their electricity bills. 

PennEnvironment believes that the Commonwealth must commit itself to cut its energy use by at least 10 percent by 2025.  Achieving this aggressive but doable target would help catch Pennsylvania up to other states that are already making energy efficiency and conservation policies a priority.   And doing so would make significant cuts in global warming pollution, make our energy system more secure, and save businesses and consumers money. 

HB 2200 provides a critical first step towards a more energy-efficient Pennsylvania.  Specifically, HB 2200 would establish energy efficiency programs statewide to cut overall projected energy use 2.5 percent by 2013, and cut peak energy demand 4 percent by 2012 from current levels. 

But in order to ensure that the energy savings goals of HB 2200 are achieved and that we continue to build upon these savings after 2013, PennEnvironment urges legislators to strengthen HB 2200 in two important ways.  First, prior to the 2013 energy savings target, interim energy savings targets should be set to ensure that the state is on track to achieve the final efficiency goals set out in the legislation.  Second, assuming that the benefits of HB 2200 are found to exceed the costs, additional energy savings targets should be established for the years after 2013.

In order to protect Pennsylvania’s environment and save consumers and businesses money on their electricity bills, PennEnvironment urges members to support HB 2200 when it is voted on.  Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions at 215-732-5897 or at NWillcox@PennEnvironment.org. 

Sincerely,

Nathan Willcox
Energy & Clean Air Advocate
PennEnvironment